Points Not Position

Have we got things to improve on? Yes, but we are well placed in a division that is stretching very quickly"

Kenny Jackett

Kenny Jackett is advising his Wolves players not to become too fixated by League positions as they aim to return to winning ways at Molineux tonight.

Following the Johnstone's Paint Trophy exit against Notts County on penalties and Saturday's exciting derby draw against Coventry City, Wolves will be eager to sign off their run of seven home games out of nine by taking maximum points against Oldham Athletic.

Such has been the form of Leyton Orient and Peterborough United that a place in the top two is beyond the side for now but a return of 26 points from the first 11 League One matches is very much a record befitting serious promotion-chasers.

"I'm more one for looking at points totals at this stage rather than positions," the head coach said. "That's until about February. You try to see if you're on course.

"It's a fantastic start by Peterborough and Orient and the positive thing for us is that we're in touching distance of them.

"Some other big clubs are a significant amount of points behind already and we know we still have it in our hands as to where we finish.

"We're pleased with our points total. Have we got things to improve on? Yes, but we are well placed in a division that is stretching very quickly.

"The top two have a high points total but our focus is on what we do and on our own parameters.

“It is down to ourselves to put in the type of run where we can be consistently winning at this level to try to achieve our aim of getting promoted this year.”

As Lee Johnson arrives at Molineux with an Oldham side who have won their last two games since drawing at home to Orient, Peterborough face Sheffield United at London Road while Orient go to Coventry.

The top three are all in action again on Saturday, with Wolves at Bradford City, but a possible 18-day gap between League fixtures looms for us in the middle of next month.

Following our rearranged Bonfire Night trip to Carlisle, the first round of the FA Cup accounts for the following weekend, then our scheduled trip to Notts County seven days later could be called off because of the next round of international fixtures.

That would explain why Jackett, rather than setting points targets for the season, says he is in the habit of 'ring-fencing' batches of fixtures, the latest of which is the one which ends with the Carlisle game.

His selection options for tonight’s game are not affected by any fresh injuries, and Jack Price, withdrawn in the first half on Saturday, has recovered from the problem which forced him off.

And Jackett does not feel he necessarily needs any extensive changes due to the spell of fixtures.

“It was a migraine type problem with Jack Price that gave him a headache and blurred vision,” he says.

“It didn’t clear up and within the timeframe of the first half he decided he’d have to come off.

“With a headache and blurred vision we weren’t quite sure what it was but it has cleared up in the last couple of days so he’s ok.

“It’s one of those things and I think he did have it once a couple of years ago but he’s fine now.

“Can our players go again? I don’t see why not as it is very early in the season and players should love playing.

“If I’m looking at internationals I think Matt Doherty played one out of the two, McCarey our sub keeper played two out of two and Doyle played two.

“Out of the starting eleven there are not many that have played too many games in this early stage.

“And from Saturday I would expect the recovery to be there and them to be fine for tonight’s game.”

*Tickets will not be available on the turnstiles tonight but they will be available from the Ticket Office. Supporters who purchased tickets for the Coventry game remain eligible to purchase a half price ticket for tonight providing it is with the same Supporter Number.